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donor car acquired - What to keep?
phoenix_dr - February 15th, 2011 at 09:23 PM

So, I've (finally) found a donor car for my 65' beetle.
my plan is to take the engine and gearbox.

the donor is a 76' std beetle

can anyone point me in the direction of a thread on here that shows people converting the IRS gearbox to an early pan.

Has anyone got some photos of their conversion? (it would be a big help to see how other people have done this)

Also, as the title suggests, I'm thinking about what else to keep;

wiring loom is all I can think off (not sure if it'll make it better or not)

Any thoughts and experience would be very helpful

Thanks in advance


Sides - February 15th, 2011 at 09:27 PM

What's the 76 pan like ???

May be better off swapping the 65 body onto the 76 pan... it's the usual way that people go about it.


waveman1500 - February 15th, 2011 at 10:12 PM

Yep, if the floorpan on the '76 doesn't have any holes in it then just leave the engine and gearbox where they are and drop the '65 body onto the later pan. It gives you an instant upgrade to better suspension, brakes, engine, gearbox and 12 volt electrics.


cam070 - February 15th, 2011 at 10:52 PM

76 floor pan is the best to use if its in good condition or restore-able.


Joel - February 16th, 2011 at 09:04 AM

Just be aware though that a 76 pan will need engineering with an early body and 76 is subject to alot more ADRs than earlier bugs like charcoal canisters, noise level etc


phoenix_dr - February 25th, 2011 at 07:49 PM

And the results are in, the pan is.... drum roll please.....

"Fecked"

So, the pan swap idea is out of the question.

also the car isn't a 76' as I was told when I bought it, but a 74', nor is the motor a 1600 tp as I was told when I bought it (I could be, I'll find out when I strip it)

Considering I bought it from someone who should know the difference (has a business relating to VW's), I'm a little bit peved about the whole thing.
It's not really that much of a big deal I just don't like being told an elephant is pink when it's quiet clear it's grey, if you get my meaning.


Anyway;

The motor is stamped a 1300 tp, which is still better than what I started with, and it runs (sort of)

Has anyone used a 74' 1300 gearbox and are they any good - strength wise?

The motor is being built up to a mild 1776; will this gear box handle this motor or should I continue looking around for another one


As always thanks for the input guys,
it's great to be able to bounce ideas off other people who have more experience than me.